"All in a days work," laughs Hicks, who spends most of his nights producing tracks after coming home from his day-time web programming job.
"I feel like musicians have gotten 'soft,'" he continues. "I'm constantly looking for a way to keep a listener's interest, and studying what it really means to have a good 'hook' and grab attention. I grew up listening to all types of music and was able to identify quickly what justified a solid sound. I hope that people hear that through my work."
Take A Step Back
Ascendant Stranger Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Of my surroundings.
They're ancient ruins —
Or so they became
When I shut the world out
To reach for something
Beyond the walls that
I built to keep safe.
My hope is bare; I think I need to
Take a step back and
Fill my lungs with air
And try to resuscitate
The man that died inside
To see if he is worth saving.
Am I a victim of my own mind?
I'm tearing these walls down daily;
I'm breaking them bit by bit.
My feet and my hands take a beating,
As I fight to let daylight in.
It's up to you if you want to end the suffering
And pick your feet up when you feel you're at your end.
It doesn't matter if it leads to nothing;
At least you tried to make it right again.
It's up to you but you still need to learn to breathe
And just take a step back before you fall to your knees.
And don't stop the fight to find your daylight.
You won't be the victim of your own mind!
My hope is bare; I think I need to
Take a step back and
Fill my lungs with air
And try to resuscitate
The man that died inside
To see if he is worth saving.
Am I a victim of my own mind?
Am I a victim of my own mind?
Am I a victim of my own…
The lyrics to "Take A Step Back" by Ascendant Stranger describe the feeling of being in denial and shutting out the world around oneself to reach for something beyond the walls one has built. The singer describes their surroundings as ancient ruins, symbolizing the decay and neglect that have resulted from their isolation. However, they come to realize that they need to take a step back and confront the man that has died inside in order to see if he is worth saving. They question whether they are a victim of their own mind and realize that they need to break down the walls they have built to let daylight in and not be the victim of their own thoughts.
The struggle to confront one's inner demons is a common theme in many songs, but "Take A Step Back" offers a unique perspective on this struggle. The lyrics highlight the importance of taking a moment to breathe and reassess one's situation before succumbing to the darkness within oneself. The idea of tearing down the walls of one's mind and letting in the daylight is a powerful metaphor for overcoming mental obstacles and finding hope in the midst of despair.
Overall, "Take A Step Back" is a thought-provoking song that encourages listeners to confront their inner struggles and take control of their mental health. The lyrics remind us that it's okay to struggle and feel lost, but it's important to take a step back and reassess our situation before giving up.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm in denial
I'm refusing to accept and face the reality of my surroundings.
Of my surroundings.
I can't process what's happening around me.
They're ancient ruins —
The environment around me has become derelict and run-down.
Or so they became
The situation appears this way because of my perception of reality.
When I shut the world out
I isolated myself from the rest of the world.
To reach for something
I'm striving towards a goal.
Beyond the walls that
My journey takes me beyond the barriers that I've created.
I built to keep safe.
I constructed these walls to protect myself from harm.
My hope is bare; I think I need to
I lack hope and feel the need to take action.
Take a step back and
I need to reevaluate my situation and reconsider my approach.
Fill my lungs with air
I need to take a deep breath and regain my composure.
And try to resuscitate
I'm attempting to revive something that has died or withered away.
The man that died inside
The person I used to be or the person I wanted to be has vanished.
To see if he is worth saving.
I'm questioning whether the person I used to be is worth salvaging.
Am I a victim of my own mind?
I'm wondering if my own thoughts and perceptions are hindering my progress.
I'm tearing these walls down daily;
I'm actively breaking down the barriers that I've created.
I'm breaking them bit by bit.
I'm taking a gradual approach to dismantle my defenses.
My feet and my hands take a beating,
The process of breaking down these walls is difficult and physically demanding.
As I fight to let daylight in.
I'm struggling to let positive changes and opportunities come into my life.
It's up to you if you want to end the suffering
I have the power to decide whether or not to stop the pain and negativity.
And pick your feet up when you feel you're at your end.
I need to motivate myself to keep going when I feel like giving up.
It doesn't matter if it leads to nothing;
Even if the outcome isn't what I want, it's still worth trying.
At least you tried to make it right again.
It's better to make an effort rather than give up completely.
It's up to you but you still need to learn to breathe
I have to learn to relax and not let stress and anxiety control me.
And just take a step back before you fall to your knees.
I need to slow down and reassess my situation before I break down completely.
And don't stop the fight to find your daylight.
I need to keep pushing forward and searching for positive change.
You won't be the victim of your own mind!
I have the power to change my mindset and overcome my own negative thoughts.
Am I a victim of my own mind?
I am still struggling with whether or not my own thoughts are holding me back.
Am I a victim of my own…
The song ends here, emphasizing the ongoing question and struggle of overcoming one's own negative thoughts and perceptions.
Contributed by Skyler A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.